Representing the Usher Irish Road Club in the 2008 Tour of the North were: Peter Hawkins
Matthew Ward
Simon Kelly
Colm Cassidy
Linus Murphy
Geir BisGaard
Supported by: Andrew Usher
Jenny Nason
Gary McIlroy
Alison Murphy
The riders put in an exceptional performance really making their presence felt particularly on stages 3 and 4.
With Peter in 8th place on stage 3 the team looked after him well as the race blew to pieces leaving only about 40 riders up front. The entire 6 man squad were present, putting Yellow Jersey and eventual winner Ryan Connor under a serious amount of pressure. Simon got 3rd in the stage with Geir 5th.
In the final stage around the Mourne Mountains the same happened again with the entire team keeping up front and out of trouble. Peter finished third in the stage with Matthew 4th. These great performances gave Peter 7th place overall after a tough 4 days of racing.
Special thanks must go to Jenny and Alison who looked after the riders with such dedication and care, making life so much easier for everyone involved..
And to Andrew who looked after the lads in every other way and finishing up the weekend on first name terms with the chief commissaire!!!
Matthew Ward in the Prologue
Colm Cassidy in the prologue
Peter Hawkins in the prologue
Linus Murphy in the prologue
Geir BisGaard competing for the IRC in the prologue
Geir finishing stage 2
Linus in the TT
Matthew in the TT
Peter in the TT
Usher IRC team Tour of the North 2008
Had to show off the car
Peter on the podium for his 3rd place on the final stage
Peter and Matthew chilling out after the final stage
